The prevalence and severity of retinopathy in patients with coronary artery disease at a tertiary hospital in Durban, South Africa.

Abstract

Sr Asmal and her eye clinic staff: for their willingness and assistance to establish appropriate time for research, putting forth ideas regarding safely transporting and caring for cardiology patients at the eye clinic, and helping with visual acuity measurements and dilating patients' pupils.2. Nursing staff at the cardiology wards and ICU: for organizing safe transport of patients to the eye clinic where applicable.3. The cardiology administrative assistant, Cairan: for her weekly updates on coronary angiogram admission lists to the cardiology ward.4. IALCH porters: for assisting with transfer of patients to the eye clinic and back to their respective wards.5. Rajeshree Budhoo: Optometrist at the IALCH eye clinic: for assistance with the OCT measurements and taking of fundus photos. 6. Dr S Baboolal, Consultant in Ophthalmology: for her insight into the time and effort needed to write up the MMed and highlighting the importance of finding the correct and appropriate target journal. vi List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ACCESS -Acute Coronary Events -a multinational Survey of current management Strategies ACCF -American College of Cardiology Foundation AHA -American Heart Association ACS -Acute coronary syndrome ASRD -age-standardized related death ARIC -Atherosclerosis risk in community BRVO -branch retinal vein occlusion CABG -Coronary artery bypass graft CAD -Coronary artery disease CKD -Chronic kidney disease CMT -Central macular thickness CRIC -chronic renal insufficiency cohort CSA -Chronic stable angina CSMO -Clinically significant macular oedema CVD -Cardiovascular disease DR -Diabetic retinopathy DVD -Double vessel disease ETDRS -Early treatment in diabetic retinopathy study ETODH -Evaluation of target organ damage in hypertension FAZ -Foveal avascular zone GCL -Ganglion cell layer Hb -Haemoglobin HDL -High density lipoprotein HR -Hypertensive retinopathy IALCH -Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital ICU -Intensive care unit IRMA -Intra-retinal microvascular abnormalities LDL -Low density lipoprotein